King Mohammed rejoices at Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, voices wish to see Syrian track resumed
Morocco, Politics, 6/21/2000

Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Tuesday voiced satisfaction over the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and expressed "fervent desire" to see the Syrian track resumed.

This came in an exchange of addresses with US President Bill Clinton during a dinner banquet hosted in the king's honor at the White House by the US President.

"Though there is today every reason for us to rejoice at the recent Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, the Kingdom of Morocco expresses the most fervent desire to see negotiations resume with Syria for the retrocession of the occupied Golan," King Mohammed VI said.

The king also voiced wish for a "fair implementation of commitments made regarding the national and territorial rights of the Palestinian people, which make up the Gordian knot of the Arab-Israeli conflict."

The King also urged Israel to accept the idea of coexistence in the region, stressing that Israel has no reason to fear for its national security. "Israel, having no reason to fear for its national security, should -with the warranty from its partners- accept the idea that the peoples of the region may live together in peace and dignity on the land of their common ancestors."

The king, in his capacity as chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, stressed the holy city's status as a heaven for the three monotheist religions. "In my capacity as chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, a task I am assuming on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Conference, I will insist particularly on the status of this city -holy for the three monotheist religions - so that all believers can pray together, full of hope, to one God," he said, calling for relentless quest of peace.

The King also ranged over other issues relating to Africa, lauding ongoing American initiatives aimed at the recovery and the development of the continent.

Touching on the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA/mustering Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania), King Mohammed VI voiced "strong wish" for the revival of the union, which he described as "an irreversible strategic option likely to ensure regional security and prosperity while preserving the integrity of territories."

The king likewise expressed will to join efforts with President Clinton "with a view to achieving the noble objectives of liberty, justice, peace and prosperity for all nations."

Previous Stories:
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  Economic cooperation tops king's visit to US   (6/20/2000)
  King Mohammed arrives in USA   (6/20/2000)

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